Digitalized Passport Photos

Want to make digitalized passport photos with your own camera? Due to
the fact that unacceptable passport photos are one of the principal
causes of delays in the processing of application forms, the Department
of State Passport Services recommend the use of a professional
photographer. However, a list of tips are provided below if you want to
make your own passport photos.

The first step is to position the camera
correctly. It should be placed at the eye level of the person being
photographed and at least 4 feet away. One way you can do this is to
use a tripod. The person being photographed should stand or sit as
close to the background as possible in order to eliminate shadows. The
background must be plain white or off-white with no objects, patterns
or textures.

Make sure the background is well lit. You can place light
sources on both sides of the person to reduce shadows. A third light
source can be placed behind the person. Avoid direct overhead lighting.
Make sure that the background is illuminated evenly and that there are
no shadows or other lighting effects.

The head of the person should be directly in the center of the
LCD display and there should be white space above the head and upper
body.

You can use the red-eye reduction option on your digital camera
when you are taking the passport photo. However, you cannot use any
photo editing tool to digitally remove the red-eye from your photo. In
general, you are not allowed to digitally enhance or alter the photo to
change your appearance in any way.

The head should be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (between 25 and 35
mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair when printed.
When taking a digital image, the head should be between 50% and 69% of
the image's total height from the top of the head, including the hair,
to the bottom of the chin.